PSC Q523

Overview

The Product and Service Code (PSC) system standardizes how the U.S. federal government classifies goods and services in procurement records, enabling consistent reporting, analysis, and FPDS/SAM data entry. The PSC Manual and associated spreadsheets govern code definitions, maintenance, and agency coding guidance for contracting officers and data stewards.¹

PSC Q523 is the PSC for Medical — Surgery and captures surgical specialties and related operating-room support (for example: general, trauma, colorectal, plastics/reconstructive, vascular, neurosurgery, transplant, oncologic and pediatric surgery; perfusionists; surgical technicians; and sterile-processing personnel and services). The PSC Manual lists exclusions that direct users to other medical PSCs for anesthesiology, nursing, and other specialty medical services.²

What this PSC covers

• Surgical physician services (general and subspecialty surgical specialties).
• Operating-room clinical support (surgical technicians, perfusionists).
• Sterile Processing Department (CST/SPD) technicians and purchased sterile-processing services.
• Pediatric and trauma surgery services.
• Transplant and oncologic surgical services.

Source: PSC Manual service-code descriptions.²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type | Code | Descriptor

• | - | - PSC | Q501 | Medical — Anesthesiology (listed as an exclusion in Q523).
  PSC | Q401 | Medical — Nursing (nursing and medical assistants excluded from Q523).
  PSC | Q524 | Medical — Cardiothoracic Surgery (separately categorized; excluded from Q523).

Source: PSC Manual service-code descriptions.²

Coding guidance for federal reporting

FPDS data element 8A (Product or Service Code) should reflect the predominant service purchased; surgical services that match the Q523 description must be coded to PSC Q523. The PSC Manual instructs agencies to select the PSC that best represents the primary service delivered under the contract action and to document coding rationale when mixed services are present.²

Frequently asked questions

• When is PSC Q523 used on a contract action?

  PSC Q523 is used when the predominant requirement is surgery or operating-room services as described in the PSC Manual. If the contract primarily purchases anesthesiology, nursing, or another distinct medical specialty, the corresponding PSC should be used instead.²

• Which personnel and services are explicitly included under Q523?

  The PSC Manual lists surgeons across multiple subspecialties (for example, trauma, vascular, neurosurgery), perfusionists, surgical technicians, and CST/SPD technicians or purchased sterile-processing services as included under Q523. Document the scope in the contract and FPDS remarks when multiple clinical roles are involved.²

• Which PSCs are explicitly excluded from Q523?

  Anesthesiology and associated technicians (Q501), nursing and medical assistants (Q401), cardiothoracic-specific surgery (Q524), and several other specialty PSCs are listed as exclusions and should be coded separately when those services are predominant.²

• How should mixed clinical contracts (surgery plus ancillary services) be coded?

  For mixed acquisitions, the PSC Manual requires selecting the PSC that represents the predominant product or service by dollar value or scope; if surgery is predominant, use PSC Q523. If no single predominant service exists, document the decision and consider using multiple line items with their respective PSCs.²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC Q523 overview (internal).
• Product and Service Code Manual (PSC Manual landing page).¹
• PSC Manual, Service Codes section (contains the Q523 definition, includes/excludes, and coding guidance).²

References

1. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202024.pdf